Psalm 68:1-13

Psalm 68In Hebrew texts 68:1-35 is numbered 68:2-36. 1For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. A song. May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him.

2May you blow them away like smoke— as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God.

3But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.

4Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds Or name, / prepare the way for him who rides through the deserts ; rejoice before him—his name is the LORD .

5A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.

6God sets the lonely in families, Or the desolate in a homeland he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

7When you, God, went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness, The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 19 and 32.

8the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.

9You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance.

10Your people settled in it, and from your bounty, God, you provided for the poor.

11The Lord announces the word, and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng:

12“Kings and armies flee in haste; the women at home divide the plunder.

13Even while you sleep among the sheep pens, Or the campfires; or the saddlebags the wings of my dove are sheathed with silver, its feathers with shining gold.”